"At Home with the Last Czar" exhibition

[Michelle Ratcliffe]

Robert Hall,
    I personally agree with where you are coming from, but I don't think it is really all that rude to bring a camera into the museum and take pictures. It restores their memories on the educational trip up there. It reminds them of everything they had learned and followed for so many years and even though you can get gifts from the gift shop they are not as sentimentel as the real thing or at least what you have captured in the pictures.

[Dashkova]

I agree with you regarding photography in museums.  If one is discreet and respectful and quiet, I don't see how anyone would have a problem.

Over the past six months I have visited the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., The Met in NY, the Tretyakov, Hermitage, Russian museums and endless churches and palaces.  

In the states it was never a problem taking photos, as long as there was no flash used.

In Russia it was, as usual these days, wild west capitalism. Almost everywhere I went (and I went almost everywhere, or so it seemed), visitors had the option of paying up to 600R to take interior photos or video.  The only place I encountered where photography was not allowed at all was the Amber Room, and of course, churches, though I personally know people (Russians, anyway) who have videotaped or photographed inside churches, but not during a service.
Over all, it seems that while some regard photography in museums as impolite, in many major museums it is officially acceptable, though many times conditional.

[rskkiya]

 No matter what... I am still looking forward to this exibit (although I too should love to go back home for a holiday visit - Cheltenham- ) This is unrelated-- but I did read somewhere that Nicholas thought watching "cinematography"(movies) would corrupt ones moral fibre and lead one astray !

[Robert_Hall]

Cameras in museums.
Well, with digital cameras now, it is not as much as a nuissance, but still inconsiderate. And I do know that people do it. I feel like applauding when I see museum staff stop people from doing it, but that would be just as rude !
Other than that, however, there are some major concerns over the materials being photgraphed: copyright not being the least.
Preservation is of utmost importance, especially when it comes to fabrics & paintings.
I maintain it is best to just buy the professionally photographed postcards. Or ASK the museum staff for pictures of items not on such cards. They usually can be obtained.
Cheers.
Robert

[Maria_Vanya]

Sorry, I didn't know it was that rude to bring digital cameras into museums considering that I have only been to 3 museums in my life, between the ages of 9-12. Even then I didn't bring cameras because they weren't as interesting as this is going to be. But I won't take any since they aren't allowed and it's very rude! I hope there better docents in Cincinnati then there were in Santa Fe.

[Lanie]

I am SO excited about going...

As for cameras, why is it rude?  I take photos in museums, as long as I'm allowed to, anyhow; which means often no flash, but that's okay.  Rather upsetting we're not allowed to take pictures in the N&A exhibit, that's really annoying to me, I'd want to have pictures to remember my visit by! Oh well.

[Louise]

I just ordered the catalogue. Gee I wonder which one I will get first. The catalogue or the book I  am patiently waiting for.

Anyhoo, the catalogue looks wonderful and I can't wait to read it.

Louise

[meg kees]

I live in Cincinnati and will be happy to share any information with all of you as soon as it is available.  Also, I just returned from Russia last week and spent two days in St Petersburg.  Along with all of the major attractions, I visited the Alexander Palace and also the Peter and Paul Fortress where the last imperial family is buried in a small side chapel.  I took many photos, but being a digital newbie, it will be a while before I figure out how to get them on my laptop so I can share them with everyone.

[Coldstream]

Due to the downsizing of the British Army in 1993, all regimental bands with few exceptions (the Household Division, The Royal Irish Regiment, The Parachute Regiment, The Royal Gurkha Rifles) were disbanded and divisional bands organized instead.  The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (an amalgamated regiment formed through a union of the 2d Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) and the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales' Dragoon Guards)) retained their Pipes and Drums.  I do not know for sure whether the Pipe band continue the tradition of playing the old Russian Imperial Anthem.  It would sound rather strange being played on the pipes.

Incidentally, the photograph of the Czar's Royal Scots Greys full dress uniform in the exhibit catalogue shows the pouch belt being worn over the wrong shoulder!  I am sure most of you have seen photographs of Czar Nicholas II wearing this uniform with the belt beong worn correctly.

Perhaps an English member knows more.

Coldstream (AKA Bill McCaughey)

[LisaDavidson]

Greetings from Santa Fe! Lanie and I are here and going to see the exhibit for the 2nd time tommorow. Plan to see if you can!

[tian79]

I was going through the At Home with the Last Tsar catalogue and found the following

Item 189.
22 notes passed between GD Tatiana and GD Olga at dinners during a cruise aboard the yacht Standard.

Was it told in the exhibition what they wrote?
Also was it normal to pass notes or was it just something the girls did?

[Lanie]

The notes were printed--they did not look like they were written 1914 to me, the writing looked rather childish--and one note was a cartoon of some dignitary-esque people in uniform (I think Olga drew it).  She pointed at a bald man's head with an arrow and wrote something there.  I only recognized one word in a note from Tatiana--love--so I have NO idea what it was about.  I assumed making fun of people!

[katieann]

Does anyone know if this exhibition is due to come to the UK?  I'm desperate to see it, and will have to order the catalogue, but it's not the same as being there!

[Janet_W.]

Katieann, I don't know when/if "At Home With the Last Czar" will be coming to the U.K. . . . but since those of us here in the States usually don't have access to anything like this at all, I hope you'll excuse our jubilation that the exhibit is "only" a few states away!

And Kay, belated thanks for your post. My friend and I will be in Santa Fe next week. We'll try to see things in a positive light, tho' admittedly I can have a bit of a thin skin re: the tone of certain exhibits. For example, I was furious re: the token "respect" shown the U.S.S. Arizona while visiting Hawaii some years ago. Granted that it quickly gets to be a bore for staffers dealing with us tourists. But, staffers need to remember that certain subjects have sensitivity for most of the people who go out of their way to see them.

On the other hand, tourists have obligations as well. I have rarely been so incensed as I was when I heard, about ten years ago, that some dippy friends of a relative--who is herself very superficial--went to Masada with a video cam, stripped down to bathing suits, and proceeded to film a "spoof" called "Eye On Masada"--a supposed sendup of a show in this area called "Eye on L.A."  It is amazing how some people are so totally lacking in imagination that they neglect to consider the feelings of living people, not to mention the memory of the dead.

[Kay Tanaka]

Dear Janet W,

I am so glad that you and a friend are coming to the "Nicholas and Alexandra:  At Home with the Last Tsar and His Family" exhibition.  There is a lovely place (which reminds me of St. Petersburg) serving afternoon tea from 2-6 PM.  If you have time and would like to join me, I would love to meet another Palace member.  Or, if I can assist in any other way, please let me know.

Many Blessings,

Kay